New Delhi: In an important decision on Monday, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) said that hotels or restaurants cannot charge their customers money in the name of service charges in their food bills. Yes, the customer can pay the service charge himself if he so desires.
Although this decision is in the interest of the consumers and it will also make food in the hotel restaurant cheaper, what should be done if a hotel or restaurant charges you a service charge despite the order. For this doubt and the safety of the consumers, the authority has made many options. We are telling that if the hotel or restaurant still charges you forcibly, then where and how to complain.
1- If your restaurant or hotel has made a bill by adding a service charge, then first of all you will request the manager to remove that charge. Remind them that such charges cannot be collected without your consent.
2- If the restaurant or hotel does not accept your request and is adamant about charging the service charge, then you can complain to the National Consumer Helpline (NCH). It helps in resolving the dispute at an early stage itself. Consumers can register their complaints by calling the helpline number 1915 or through the app of NCH.
3- Apart from this, you can also complain to the consumer commission or an online complaint can be filed through the e-filing portal. For this, you have to visit http://www.edaakhil.nic.in.
4- The consumer will also have the right to register his complaint in the Collectorate office of the district, which will investigate and send his report to CCPA. If you want, you can directly lodge your complaint with CCPA. For this, you have to e-mail at com-ccpa@nic.in.
What does the law say?
CCPA has issued a guideline under Section 18(2)(I) of the Consumer Protection Act for the interests of consumers. It states that in addition to the rates given in the menu, if any hotel or restaurant charges the consumer any fee other than the appropriate tax, then it is completely illegal and against the interests of the consumer.
